GPS - recording location

[laurangutan]

Hello,

I would like to use my Garmin etrex summit HC to record my position (6 fig grid ref) or at least the position of plant species that I plan to record. I have set the devise up to use OS grid reference but I am not too sure which screen is best to use for getting current location (on multiple occasions throughout the day)? Also my devise seems to be directing me on a route all the time – is it possible to turn this feature off as I don’t need to use this function at the moment.

Cheers

Laurangutan

[Richard G.]

Think you need to start by grabbing a copy of the manual from here:
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I don't own that particular model, but for certain you will be able to set it to stop 'following' the route that must have been downloaded to it.

Also I think Garmins tend to give 10-figure GR's, since they are accurate to a few metres. Either use the full GR or just drop the last two digits from each set of five, ie use only the X's in this 10-figure reference; XXXyyXXXyy.

There should also be a function to add a waypoint based upon your current location, just a case of sifting through the menus until it's found. You can then look these up later, or download directly to a computer, if you have a cable.

[poschiavanus]

I use the same model.

To record a waypoint, just push STRAIGHT down on the joystick button above the screen. This should automatically open up the waypoint entry screen. I usually waypoint known plants with a code based on the Genus and species, something like Qu/rob01 for Quercus robur no. 1 (this is borrowed from the BLS Lichen recording scheme, and as waypoint IDs are unique you need to have some means of keeping them distinct). Of course you can just use the normal numeric sequence but then you need to remember what you were waypointing when you get home.

To move between screens use the top button on the righthand side of the GPS. This should rotate through "Main Menu", "Map", "Route/Compass" and "Altimeter" pages or something like that, just keep pressing until you are on the page you want.

To add the current GridReference on any screen except "Main Menu" select the lower button on the left and you should get a pop-up menu with an option of "Data Fields". and "Change Data Fields". First select "1 Wide Field" from "Data Fields", then go back to the pop-up menu and choose "Change Data Fields", click down with the joystick and the name of the datafield will be highlighted and a list will appear, scroll up ad down the list (using the joystick) to find "Location (selected)", and this should show as a 10 figure grid reference with "BNG" in the lower left. Now click on the upper right button and this will remain the setting until you change it again.

If you have just bought this I would suggest downloading the free maps produced from OpenStreetMap data. The easiest to install under Windows is that called All-in-One map (information here, downloads available here, the basemap version is the one for the HC series. New versions of these are produced weekly. A set of contours usable as an overlay can be from the Scottish Mountaineering Club website here. Neither set of data is quite Ordnance Survey quality, but in many parts of England its getting quite close, and its certainly cheaper!

For plant recording I also find the ability to geotag my photographs from my GPS trace to be invaluable. I record a track , usually on a 2 or 3 second interval, download the traces when I get home and match them to photographs using free software called Geosetter.

HTH,

posch

[laurangutan]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your help; so much more informative that the manual. I will def try out the maps you suggested – that was my next task once I have mastered the basic!